DENNIS DOMINATED DEBATE ON SUNDAY EVENING

Dennis Kucinich won the most applause in last night's debate, for his statements on the war in Iraq, on federal budget priorities, on jobs, trade, and immigration. He questioned Howard Dean on how he would balance the federal budget, continue the war in Iraq for years, maintain the current Pentagon budget, and do so without cutting veterans' benefits, housing, health care, and education. Dean's response focused on why he would not cut the Pentagon budget.

Kucinich plans a 15 percent cut in Pentagon funding, a swift end to the US military occupation of Iraq, a progressive taxation system that shifts the burden from working families toward the wealthy and corporations, and a shifting of resources from war to our domestic needs.

Kucinich also questioned Dean after Dean held up a newspaper with a headline about Iowans killed in Iraq. American troops are dying in Iraq on a daily basis. Kucinich would end the occupation quickly. Dean has said repeatedly that he would continue it.

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Its a small world, even in NYC. Last evening, after work on way to gym, I ran into an ex co-worker of mine. Just outside of Bloomingdales I ran into Tony from my JER Hudson days. We talked for about 5 minutes or so. He said our buddy Frank went back to Law School and is no longer [naturally] at JER Hudson. Plus he's lost track of Karen and wanted to get in touch with Peter. I told him that Peter still works at Bear Stearns. Tony mostly dealt with Joe and Sam, hardly ever dealt with that arrogant prick John Z. Forgot to ask him if he ever stays in touch with Jeff. Tony and his wife are expecting their first child, a baby boy, within three months. It was great running into someone who I enjoyed working with at that old job. Brought back some memories of JER, some good and some bad. Oh well. . . . . .

Had a terrific phone conversation last evening with my good friend Tom, who lives out near Los Angeles. It was his birthday, so I called to wish him good cheer. Tom and his life partner Ron had just come back from a delightful weekend spent in San Francisco. It was lovely hearing all about his adventures. Tom also inquired about my Christmas photo card. He knew I have a passion for ferrets and thought the two darlings in the shot were mine. Sadly, they are not, but belonged to an ex-boyfriend. Someday I hope to adopt my own ferrets ... after I move out of NYC.